B8.5 Worth Buying? / Timing Chain Concerns

[wootwoot]

Is a 2015 or 2016 B8.5 worth buying as a car I would keep for ~120k miles/10 years? For years I've wanted to pick one up and have been impressed with the performance, luxury, and the size of the rear seats for my 2 children. Now that I'm closer to pulling the trigger and have been researching more heavily I see many threads discussing the timing chain and the expense in fixing it. My original plan was to eventually go dual pulley but with these concerns it sounds like my best bet is to find one that is CPO and avoiding any modifications. Is the timing chain issue overblown and if the timing chain issue is repaired at the dealership is there a chance it will come back over time? Until my recent searches the B8 platform was generally bulletproof but with the cost involved in this repair that perception is starting to fade.

[doughboy17]

Yes, it is worth buying. I would not let the timing chain "issue" change your opinion. Although there are some concerns with the TSB and it seems that the noise may return, the instances of actual failure are limited. Essentially, Audi has had timing chain challenges for better than a decade (on some engines it is nearly a wear item in the 90 - 120K mile range). If I had it to do over again, I would still purchase a CPO B8.5.

[CrownSeven]

Dont believe the hype. There no timing chain issues. Some folks on here are getting their panties in a bunch over nothing.

[gtg196w]

Even for the % of people who are concerned about it. Law360 says that the suit is basically settled pending final judge approval. The settlement covers both preemptive replacement, and repair costs for catastrophic failure. Reimbursement terms vary based on where you you get it repaired.

Edit: Crap I just realized this is the s4, not a4. I don't think the S4 is covered, although I'm not aware of people having timing chain problems with the 3.0 supercharged engines. Also, i thought in b8.5, the tensioners were revised to fix the previous design defect that caused premature timing chain issues.

[jygesq]

Is a 2015 or 2016 B8.5 worth buying as a car I would keep for ~120k miles/10 years? For years I've wanted to pick one up and have been impressed with the performance, luxury, and the size of the rear seats for my 2 children. Now that I'm closer to pulling the trigger and have been researching more heavily I see many threads discussing the timing chain and the expense in fixing it. My original plan was to eventually go dual pulley but with these concerns it sounds like my best bet is to find one that is CPO and avoiding any modifications. Is the timing chain issue overblown and if the timing chain issue is repaired at the dealership is there a chance it will come back over time? Until my recent searches the B8 platform was generally bulletproof but with the cost involved in this repair that perception is starting to fade.

the 2016 model year is NOT under the TSB, if you are concerned buy 2016 instead of 2015, B8 S4 is a great car. go for it

[dlo93]

Buy one and go dual pulley. You will not be disappointed. This is all extremely blown out of proportion.

[seandon_792]

I own a b8 and didn’t know this was of concern . Thought it was a few incidents here and there but always kept an ear open on start up for strange noises just in case.


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[cjw]

It's an odd noise, but I don't think anyone's had a timing chain failure (or maybe 1-2 people). There are people with 100k+ hard miles running strong, so I wouldn't think it would be an issue.

[Snowmonkey]

Dont believe the hype. There no timing chain issues. Some folks on here are getting their panties in a bunch over nothing.

Thats a bit misleading. A Lot of people report hearing rattling noises, and it was enough for Audi to issue a TSB and warranty replacements. May not be a huge issue, but saying there isnt one at all is just not true

[TMurt]

116k on a 2010 S4 here with minimal issues. Clutch, engine mounts, warrantied carbon clean, and routine maintenance is all I've done. Previous owner only had the t-stat and thermostat. Honestly, I don't know that I'd prioritize CPO. I've been looking at upgrading to a 15/16 S4/S5 just so I can stay on the platform for as long as possible and the premium for some CPO vehicles is like 2-3k, which pays for a lot of maintenance at an independent shop. I will say that some dealers seem to interpret CPO differently. A lot of dealers don't appear to put much effort into the CPO process, several I've seen don't even bother cleaning the interior well for the pictures (minor issue I know). Meanwhile, a local dealer had an extremely clean S4 that they only certified after replacing the brakes and all four tires. CPO is also less valuable to me now since they cut it down to 5 years from 6. Just my .02

[jorte014]

Hell yes it's worth buying. This is one of the best bang for the buck cars you can get.

[tar]

over 105k on my b8 and never once have i heard the chains rattle. been stage 2 since 70k and dual pulley since 92k. Not a worry at all its not like this is the b7 with its god awful chain issues.

[Akvdubn]

118k on my 2010. APR stage 2+. No mechanical issues at all except for a broken flexpipe on my driver side downpipe. Runs like a champ!

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[CrownSeven]

Thats a bit misleading. A Lot of people report hearing rattling noises, and it was enough for Audi to issue a TSB and warranty replacements. May not be a huge issue, but saying there isnt one at all is just not true

The whole timing chain thread is misleading with crap advice. You say it’s not a huge issue and I agree with you, but reading that thread makes it sound like the opposite. And now the latest scoop is it may not even be the timing guides. WOW. Meanwhile advice continues to be given to clueless folks to perform unnecessary repairs to people’s cars that more often than not causes bigger issues in the end without even repairing the original issue - a 2 second OCCASINOAL rattle on start up that happens every 3rd week of the blood moon if you park your car on10 degree incline...or is it a decline?

Op. Don’t believe the hype.


Ever wonder why some things are tsb”s and not recalls?

[jygesq]

The rattle occurs maybe 3-4 times a week I'm my 2015 S4 with 21k miles. Sometimes my car will sit for Two weeks and NO RATTLE . It may have lower frequency now that I changed oil as I do on annual basis. Will report in a week or so. But many have complained the TSB was done poorly, with my new side issues resulting. The experience of the tech with this TSB is critical. Now several owners who have had the TSB have reported the noise has come back again ,There now is a report that check valves in the oil filter & other check valves in the oil system may be the cause. I never decided to have the TSB done as both my local dealers have never done one! It seems AUDI my have jumped the gun w/o carefully ID the cause & and the proper fix, I have an extended Audi warranty until Jan 2024. If the engine self destructs I have a remedy.Audi Dealers have reported No 3 .0 v6 engines have a failure based on this rattle. This is unlike the 2 l fours that have high failure rate related to timing chain issues.In the mean time, I continue to enjoy my S4. It is the best car I have ever owned and the most enjoyable one as well.It is a sleeper with all the performances i crave.

[Nillamb]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ng-Issues-2013

Read this thread - steering issues seem much more common than timing chain failure. A thread close to my heart as I have the steering issues as described. I've been though the VAG-COM and alignment fix. That fixed the "slipping steering" and most of the notchiness, but not all of it. It still takes far too much effort to place the car accurately on a bend. I'm going to give it one last chance with a new set of PS4 tyres (not that I expect that to fix any notchiness).

Its completely stopped me bonding with this car and it'll be gone when financial considerations allow (PS4's notwithstanding).

YMMV, etc.

[Crucible35]

I have a 2015 A4 SLine......I've got 120,000 Kms on it and it's been bulletproof so far. Go for it!

[Gordon Shumway]

It is not a reason to pass on this car. My 2013 has 145k miles and I have had zero issues. It is a great car.

[darkrock]

Timing chain rattle is going to happen even if you get the tsb done. I've had mine done and it still does it after the car sits for over a week without being started.. Completely normal

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[a=m/s2]

2015 140k SQ5 B8.5. Zero, read “0” issues outside PCV at 135k - much longer than many. Had the supercharger oil changed then, as well as a carbon clean that before and after pics show was not needed. Top-tier gas, Mobil 1 euro spec which meets AUDI requirements. Oil every 6k.

Supercharger/engine running a 207mm on the crank. Cheaper simpler than dual pulley. PHX. Stage 2+. Carbon fiber cone air filter. Aggressive as hell. 12.56 in1/4 (just a test, I’m not into it). As my handle implies, it’s all acceleration. 4.3 to 60. No need for ethanol. Very pleased all around.

No regrets at all. Highly reco.

[Nillious]

I think a lot of people have the misconception that when they start to hear a start up rattle it means the chains have stretched or they are in some way failing. The start up rattle has NOTHING to do with the chains them selves. It’s just simply slack in the chains for a second until oil pressure gets to the tensioners. Literally thousands of these engines have this noise and it’s very difficult to find many timings related failures.

It’s much easier to find rod bearing related failures but nobody’s talking about it lol.

[Fresh.S4]

I think a lot of people have the misconception that when they start to hear a start up rattle it means the chains have stretched or they are in some way failing. The start up rattle has NOTHING to do with the chains them selves. It’s just simply slack in the chains for a second until oil pressure gets to the tensioners. Literally thousands of these engines have this noise and it’s very difficult to find many timings related failures.

It’s much easier to find rod bearing related failures but nobody’s talking about it lol.

I've been here since 2018 and I've never heard rod bearings mentioned....
(Unless in the last year it's been posted on the S4 fb page, because it's not reported on the FB tech or performance pages)

I still believe it's the tensioners failing as those photos have been provided by many.